Monday, July 24, 2006

You guys don't make things easy...

The second annual "See you guys in a long time" party fulfilled all of our expectations for our last big bash with friends and family. Unfortunately, as the hours went on, Ken and I realized -- again -- how much we are going to miss everyone. We try not to be sappy, but sometimes it just has to be said. For those of you who missed it, the highlights included the second annual keg toss (a now classic event), plenty of that bag toss game, a couple of pitchers of sangria, and some pretty amazing cake (if I do say so myself).

A special thanks to Josh and Laura for their specially made T-shirts and sign-in books for the event. We can't wait for you to visit Japan so we can repay you for all of your dinners and sponsored good times. Ahhh... actual paychecks on the way!

My packing is almost complete. The task was fairly monumental. My suitcase is getting weighed down with pictures of Ken. The good news is that I believe I have an apartment within walking distance of school. It has two rooms and a shower room. A bit of a throwback to the Asia trip with no tubs in bathrooms. Essentially the water just sprays all over the room and the toilet.

Apartments in Japan are quite different from those in the US. First of all, you have to pay an insane amount of deposits that will never be returned to you. One of them is actually called "thank you money" for the real estate agent. And you have to buy all of your own appliances. I was getting pretty nervous about the expenses running up when I started getting emails from people leaving Okinawa and selling their fridges, furniture, everything for cheap(er). So far I have a fridge, gas range, microwave oven, and vacuum cleaner all lined up.

Ken and I have orientation near O'Hare on Friday. Supposedly we get our passports and tickets on that date. Not seeing those crucial documents this entire time is worrying. We fly out on Saturday. Our first flight will be solo, but then we meet up at a layover city for the long haul. We have another couple of days of orientation in Tokyo and then I'll fly away to Okinawa and Ken will head to Hamada. I'm going to try not to be that girl who eats Haagen-Das and watches TV all day pining over her boyfriend. But actually the only thing preventing that from happening is that I don't know where to buy Haagen-Das and so far I haven't purchased a TV.

Anyways, thanks again for a memorable final party! Sayonara! (Japanese lessons have been an utter failure. I'm going to work on my "I don't know" shrug instead.)